It’s almost time for fans to return to Hogwarts, as the release date for HBO’s Harry Potter series creeps closer.
The show, which will reimagine J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World for a new generation, is set to premiere this Christmas with a fresh take on the author’s first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Dominic McLaughlin will play the titular wizard, taking over from Daniel Radcliffe. Originally from Lanarkshire, the young actor beat out more than 32,000 other children to land the role, with his previous credits including Sky film Grow, which he starred in alongside Nick Frost, the new Rubeus Hagrid.
The open casting call found the perfect Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger in Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton, respectively. As for the professors and parents in Harry Potter, notable cast members include John Lithgow as Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Professor Severus Snape, Janet McTeer as Professor Minerva McGonagall, with Bel Powley and Daniel Rigby as Harry’s Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon Dursley.
With so many new names and faces set to appear in the HBO series, here is the full cast for the show side by side with their film equivalent.
1. Harry Potter — Dominic McLaughlin (TV) & Daniel Radcliffe (films)
Dominic McLaughlin will play the Boy Who Lived in the new Harry Potter series. He has previously appeared in 2025 CBBC series Gifted, as well as Sky film Grow. His predecessor, Daniel Radcliffe, has also appeared in a few projects before he was cast as Harry Potter, which made him a household name. | Aidan Monaghan / HBO / Getty Images
2. Hermione Granger — Arabella Stanton (TV) & Emma Watson (films)
English actor Arabella Stanton will play Hermione Granger, the muggle-born witch who was first played on screen by Emma Watson. Stanton’s previous credits include Matilda: The Musical on the West End with the HBO Harry Potter series marking her on-screen debut. | Aidan Monaghan/HBO/Getty Images
3. Ron Weasley — Alastair Stout (TV) & Rupert Grint (films)
Ron Weasley will be played by English actor Alistair Stout, whose only previous credit is an Albert Barlett potato advert. Another of Harry’s closest friends, Ron was initially played by Rupert Grint in the film series with the new show set to be Stout’s breakout role. | Aidan Monaghan/HBO/Getty Images
4. Albus Dumbledore — John Lithgow (TV) & Richard Harris/Michael Gambon (films)
American actor John Lithgow is the latest actor to portray Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. With credits including 3rd Rock From The Sun, Shrek and Dexter, he succeeds both Richard Harris and Michael Gambon. Harris played the role in the first two Harry Potter films, before his death in 2002. Michael Gambon then took over the role for the rest of the series. Jude Law has also played a young Dumbledore, if you want to count the Fantastic Beast films. | Lara Cornell/HBO/Getty Images